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Real People. Real Reviews.®
Category: Steakhouses [Edit]
637 Hornby St
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Without a question of a doubt my favourite steakhouse in Vancouver.
The food, service and decor are all amazing, if you fancy the best steak Vancouver has to offer Hy's Encore should be your first stop.
great downtown steakhouse! the feel of a gentleman's secret society meeting place. very "classy". we had a private function for 50 ppl upstairs.
the appies were divine.. mini crab cakes.. beef wellington.. chicken in a puff pastry. all great!
the biggest disappointment of the night was the starter salad.. completely ridiculous and out of place.. you can get a better salad from any fast food restaurant.. it was completely lifeless.. shreds of carrot.. scraps of iceberg lettuce.. an unimaginative dressing.
the hy's infamous cheese toast didn't disappoint!
me and a friend shared a filet mignon steak done medium rare.. and the salmon. salmon was pretty standard.. but the steak was incredible!! incredibly tender and bursting with juicy flavour. it came with a baked potato that tasted amazing.
dessert was a cheesecake which had an interesting consistency and flakes of something made into it (still don't know what).. overall it was more sour than sweet.. it was different but not the greatest cheesecake either
drinks were great.. including the pinot grigio they served
service top notch as expected from this type of establisment
i'd come back!
Very nice atmosphere as soon as you walk in. I'm one of those guys that likes to eat a steak at the bar (especially when dining solo) but there is only table seating at Hy's. Kind of bizarre, and -1 for that.
Let me take this opportunity for a detour into the nomenclature of beef quality. Hy's has it across their menu that they use "Only AAA Alberta Beef". It sounds good, and I was wondering why I was wholly unimpressed with the quality of the porterhouse which was full of all kinds of connective tissue that my knife couldn't even cut through.
As it turns out, saying beef is "AAA" is about as meaningful as saying the USA's debt rating is "AAA". It isn't what you think it is. AAA beef is actually analogous with the "Choice" level of beef in the USA (the second level down). The highest level of steak in both countries is "Prime". And don't ever let someone in the states tell you that college wives tale about "Grade D beef that is only fit for convicts and college students". The four levels of beef in the states are Prime, Choice, Select, and Standard (Descending Order). -1 for having such a highly marketed steakhouse and not using the highest quality of beef.
Now that that rant is done, I'm here to tell you that Hy's caesar salad is made fresh table side and is absolutely tremendous. Combine this with the perfectly made creamed spinach and tremendous service, you get a +1 back.
I would probably come here again for a work dinner, staying away from the porterhouse and focusing on the filet. Give it a shot and see how it goes.
One of the best steak houses in the world.
What do Hy's, Gotham and The Keg have in common? They all belong to Mr. David Aisenstat, whose father is Hy Aisenstat, founder of...drum roll... Hy's Steakhouse.
Stepping into Hy's Encore will transport you back to your Grandfather's den. All wood interior reminiscent of a boat house or where the freemasons meet. The service is as old school as the place itself. And that's a good thing. Because from start to end, there was unpretentious dining experience.
How else can you begin at Hy's but to start but with the "Cheese Toast For Two" which seemingly looks simple, but tastes delicate with it's soft bread topped with a nice blend of cheeses. Oh, and you know this order is really enough for one.
I'll eat and appreciate any steak. But my number one love is the bone-in Rib Eye / Cowboy Rib Eye / Rib Steak / Scotch Fillet and however else it's named around the world as long it's perfectly marbled with it's meat and fat which results to a tender, juicy, moist and flavourful meal. Just cook mine medium and then charred, thank you.
It's everything I expected from a respectable steak house - aged beef that's lightly seasoned and perfectly cooked to order.
You have a choice of side potato dish from baked potato, french fries or cubed which they refer to as O'Brien.
They offer additional side dishes to complement your steak which I chose to try their Gorgonzola Macaroni and Cheese (creamy with a twist of sharpness in taste), Cauliflower Gratin (mostly creamy and lacks depth of flavour), and Thick Cut Beer Battered Onion Rings (crunchy batter paired with thick cuts of white onion).
I would have forgiven the tasteless cauliflower gratin dish and awarded five stars for the overall service and quality, but I was disappointed by the grand finale dessert choice which is my all-time favourite and one that I happily make at home - Bananas Foster. It was pricey since the dish is prepared by your table, but that's all the fanfare you'll ever get. You get one small banana paired with refrigerated crepe rolls that didn't taste fresh and obviously needed to thaw a bit more. It was less than special and frankly the worse Bananas Foster dish I ever had. Sadly enough.
But in the end, you know that their expertise and priority is first and foremost the quality of the steak. As I've come to know and taste, all other dishes come second. In any case, it truly deserves four stars in overall dining experience.
A temple of money and meat, Hy's made my husband's birthday a very happy one. So that's all that really matters to me.
Very Old World, from the Prawn Cocktail to the tableside salad service. The food is amazing; the decor is comfortable and beautiful. Everything has been thought through. You can tell that every aspect of what you are eating has been refined and perfected over the years. The meat is phenomenal. This is hands down the best steak and prime rib I have ever had. Even the cheesecake was good, and really good, not pre-frozen forgettable cheesecake.
The service really deserves its own section as well. The waiters here are old pros. They know the menu, they know people, and they know what you want before you even know you want it. Booking through their website was a breeze, gave me an email confirmation, and even the notes sent with my reservation about a birthday at the table were remembered. And here's a really nice thing; the birthday boy was not into the whole singing at the table birthday embarrassment factor, and this could not have gone better. A simple complimentary slice of cheesecake with a candle, the waiter subtly brought it over, wished him a happy birthday and took a photo of the two of us. Classy.
Hy's is the kind of posh joint that salespeople only half-jokingly brag about visiting. Classy old-fashioned decor with lots of cushy chairs, dark wood, and subdued lighting. The hostesses and servers were attentive and friendly, and service was quick considering how busy they were.
The food was good, but not good enough to justify the prices. A basic beef dip, for example, was $17. My coworker's very simple rice and shrimp dish was $20. And those are just lunch prices!
It's definitely worth stopping in for an after-work cocktail to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Then hit White Spot after.
Excellent food and service. The steak here is outstanding as it needs to be of course. Of note is the cheese toast. A tasty mixture of cheddar, swiss and parmesan with clarified butter on french bread (I asked the waiter), it's not to be missed and is certainly the unique signature of this restaurant. I've noted to try the caesar salad next time which is made near the table complete on a table top stove to prepare the anchovies and accompiants.
The atmosphere is a bit stuffy but I suppose it is an interesting diversion from the usual swanky Vancouver affair. Try the pecan pie for desert if you like pecans, it's quite excellent and a notch above the cheesecake or chocolate cake.
Very good cheese bread, decent porterhouse.
Washroom a little too small, main door too heavy.
Very old school, favourite steakhouse in town.
I took my boyfriend here last year for his birthday.. The cheese bread is awesome. We shared a porterhouse steak as we normally do when we go to a steak house.
I don't know how you can compare Hy's to the Keg. The Keg is overpriced for overcooked meats, seriously. Hy's has exceptional service and the old dark style decor makes it feel like you're on a date in the 40's.
There is no possibility of complaint about the food here- the steaks were lovely and perfectly done, the cheese bread was every bit as insanely cheesy as promised and even cheesier than that, the Caesar was terrific, the cheesecake was divine.
And, the service was attentive and *very* amusing, but I would add the caveat- while this place looks old steakhouse money, and costs old steakhouse money, it was actually a lot more informal and -granted- fun- than your typical old steakhouse. Our waiter was a hoot, but my snooty old money grandma would have had a problem with him, is all I'm saying.
It was definitely a good time, I'll go again.
This is a classic, in Vancouver since about 1962 - it looks like an old boys club, with the dark lights, the dark wood, the big gold framed pictures of Dutch masters.
In the same 1962 vein, there were no concerns about cholesterol, or living well - martinis, cheese toast, great steaks, Caesar salad prepared table side, private rooms, watching the steaks cook behind the glass, seeing the old money side of Vancouver at night, and its one of the top ten power lunch spots in the city at lunch - swarmed with stockbrokers!
It all starts with the cheese toast - if you didn't have this, you weren't at Hy's!
The steaks are as good as it gets, AAA Canadian beef - with sauces like Peppercorn, Bernaise, Hollandaise (see, no worries about calories!), Gorgonzola toppings, and sides of mushrooms, asparagus, double stuffed potatoes.
Dessert sticks with the classics - cheesecake, creme brulee, bananas foster
You will be full and happy - that much is a guarantee - and will feel that you have been treated to a view of old world Vancouver - there is nothing brand new, nothing hip or modern - just old fashioned style and substance!
Simple question do you want the best steak in the city, well go to Hy's Encore then. It has everything, ambience galore, dark, dark lighting, seriously sexy tone and if that's not enough for you be prepared for a real experience. A true top of the line eating experience. I highly recommend the cheese bread, it is a well-known fact it practically makes the place. So so good, at least 3 kinds of cheese and brought in tin foil so it stays gooey and warm. Mmmm. Now the steaks are not chopped liver either, they ooze flavour. I especially enjoy the steak viewing window where you can watch the chef make magic.
Quite honestly, I have never ever had a bad meal or experience there. Yes, it reaks of old money and old business men have their booths with their names carved into them, (kidding) but aside from that just wonderful service and I second the previous reviewers comment of "The Best Steak In Vancouver."
If you're wondering what that smell is when you walk into Hy's, it's probably old school money! This place is a total ol' boys club with no apologies. The grey-haired diners know what the like (steak) and don't want any of the hype of these flashy, modern eateries.
If you go to Hy's, I insist that you order a Caesar salad to start. It is the best I have ever had. They bring out a cart and assemble it at your table, which is both entertaining, great service and the freshest way possible.
You can expect that the music will be low and the service will be efficient and professional. I've only ever been in here with my Dad, and I can't really imagine going in without someone over 50.
Listed in: Expense Accounts Need-to-Know!
THIS HY'S DOESN'T DESERVE AN ENCORE
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My girlfriend and I had heard a lot of hype about this restaurant, and with the closing of Morton's, decided to give it a go. Six of eight Yelp reviews gave it five stars - how could we go wrong?!
Well, we arrived excited and enthusiastic and left disappointed.
We arrived and were seated immediately by the hostess. No complaints here. We were seated at a strange table by a small set of stairs. One side of the table had bench seating for two and the other side had one seat offset to the side because the other half of that side was taken up by the railing of the stairs. Strange setup for a table. No big deal though - we were there for the food and we were starving.
We ordered the Cheese Toast as per everyone's recommendation here. Great way to start a meal, just as others have commented on already. We followed that up with the Ceasar Salad, which I have to say was the highlight of my meal. This was probably the best Caesar Salad I've ever had. Lightly dressed but full of flavour. Do note that the salad is not prepared table side as it was before but prepared at a station in the dining room. Not that it really matters where they make it, as long as it tastes good.
But that's where the good times ended.
An old establishment with a lot of history screams for classic cocktails so I ordered a Manhattan. It was very heavy on the sweet vermouth and I would say one of the worst I've ever ordered. After that drink, we decided to just stick with that wine.
But who cares about the drinks or the appetizers. We came here for the steak and that's where this place is going to shine right? Wrong.
I originally wanted to order the Prime Rib but they had run out. Already. At 8:00. On a Friday night. In a restaurant that stays busy until at least 10pm. Sure, maybe *every* person before me ordered the Prime Rib but I find that unlikely.
I settled with the Bone-In Rib Steak and she ordered the Gorgonzola Fillet Mignon. My steak was flat and thin - quite sad looking. I ordered it medium rare, and while you could argue that the very center was medium rare, my crust was too thick (made worse by the thinness of the cut) so overall the steak felt and tasted like it was done to medium. My girlfriend's steak suffered a similar problem. The seared crust was again too thick giving the steak a tough overcooked texture despite the inside being done to a medium rare. She found it very hard to cut through.
Taking into account the price of these steaks and the reputation that preceded my visit, I'd say that this restaurant falls flat. If a *steak* restaurant can't cook their steaks to the right doneness, who cares if the rest of the food tastes ok? If you can look at the steak in front of you and say to yourself, "I can do better than this at home" - I'd say that amounts to a failing grade. If the highlight of everyone's night is a cheesy piece of toast that anyone can make, there must be a problem. This restaurant just isn't worth it.
I didn't get it. How could all the reviews be so positive? Maybe it was an off night? After having such an opposite experience to the other reviews on Yelp, we mentioned it to at least half a dozen of our friends and their own experiences mirrored ours.
"I hate Hy's"
"Morton's is closed?!"
"I miss Morton's"
"I never go to Hy's"
"Why did you go there?!"
Ah well. The Yelp Rating description says it all:
"Meh. I've experienced better."
Amazing! Absolutely phenomenal! The service was impeccable, the steaks were mouth watering, even the drinks were delicious! I was especially impressed that our waitress left my boyfriends plate on the table while I was still working on my food. I LOVE that she did that! Other places clear the table right away and make me feel rushed (I'm a slow eater.). She didn't. Love, love, loved the food. I just wish I lived closer to the area so I could return more frequently!
Well let me just start by saying i have nothing bad to say about Hy's Steakhouse or their seasoning salt for that matter. It was my first year anniversary dinner with my girlfriend. We were seated instantly directly in front of the window to the kitchen where the view is a flaming grill filled with beautiful cuts of meat being cared for by a brilliant chef like he was going to frame them and put them in a museum. The mood in the restaurant was right up my alley dimly lit with an almost upscale medieval castle look with great art . The type of place where your almost happy to just pay to look around at the dark but brightly clean scenery. After i broke the hypnosis that the chef cast upon me we were promptly served our steaks and lobster tail (both cooked perfectly). When you ask for rare medium rare and (well done if you don't know how to eat a steak) that is exactly what you shall receive. The food was great the service was even better thanks to the wit of the maitre'd. My only regret is that i didn't order a cesar salad or prawns which they will toss or fry right at your table. In the end it was 150 bucks for a half liter of wine and our meals which i would pay again and again and again (and you will very rarely hear me say that). I know i sound like I'm sleeping with the owner by now but if you haven't been you have to go. I LOVE HY'S
So this is carnivore time! First, the beef is consistently superior at Hy's. When you are amongst classy women, each one is beautiful. Hy's has women as customers who own multi-million dollar companies, and approve their employee's expense accounts. Back to the beef-my recent visit to celebrate a special anniversary was better than ever. We opted for lunch and booked through Open Table. The server was attentive and professional-potatoes O'Brien came with the entree, and were delish -lots of fresh peppers snuggled in those spuds. Perfectly finished. My pepper steak - tasty, with the fragrance of whole black pepper floating up to my nose - bare those fangs, folks, and devour prime beef, aged and cooked to your specification. In the past we have chomped our way through the cheese toast, you have got to try it at least once, but now that we know the creme brulee is the best -we save room for that explosion of creamy wonder, along with the coffee. Hy's has a "real" bartender-so order any cocktail-I had a Pink Lady-modern mixes don't compare to hand-blending of spirits that make this pink fluff so potent. You can't go wrong with Hy's-order any of the chunks of beef and you will definitely return for a dining experience that combines beauty and elegance with the joy of eating. Really exceptional spirits available at the bar-a vast selection of smoky scotches. Hy's is for folks who appreciate value against cost - and the best steak in Vancouver.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: West End
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: Downtown
Neighborhood: Downtown
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